Whitmer Extends Restrictions On Visits To Michigan Nursing Homes

MICHIGAN — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended restrictions on Michigan nursing home visits and created a task force to address a large number of cases within state nursing homes by signing a series of executive orders Friday.

Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-135, which creates the bipartisan Michigan Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The governor also signed Executive Order 2020-136, which extends existing safety measures to maintain restrictions regarding entry to care facilities designed to protect vulnerable populations. Since it was first issued on March 14, the visitation order has prohibited entry into a nursing home without undergoing a rigorous screening protocol designed to protect facilities from the coronavirus.

“We have taken great strides here in Michigan to protect families from the spread of COVID-19 and lower the chance of a second wave, but it’s crucial that we stay vigilant and work around the clock to protect our most vulnerable residents and those who have dedicated their lives to caring for them,” Whitmer said. “These actions will help our state protect more nursing home residents and staff in the case of a second wave. Moving forward, I will work closely with the task force and with everyone who wants to help us protect our most vulnerable communities, the heroes on the front lines, and our families from this virus.”

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The Michigan Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force will be charged with, among other things, analyzing relevant data on the threat of the coronavirus in nursing homes. The group also will be releasing periodic reports to the governor on its findings and recommendations. The task force must produce a recommendation to the governor for an action plan on how to prepare nursing homes for any future wave of coronavirus cases by August 31, according to a news release.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a particularly dire threat to the health and safety of residents and employees of long-term care facilities across the country,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “This task force will help us continue to work to protect our most vulnerable residents and the caretakers serving on the front lines.”

The Task Force will consist of leaders across state government, including representatives from DHHS and LARA. The task force will also include a representative of the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, bipartisan representation from both houses of the legislature and 13 other members appointed by the governor, including individuals with a personal or professional interest in the health, safety and welfare of nursing home residents and workers.

Executive Order 2020-136 maintains restrictions on visitation to health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities and juvenile justice facilities, but authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to gradually re-open visitation as circumstances permit, according to a news release. The order has been in place since March, and consistently prohibited entry into a nursing home by a person exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus, Whitmer's office said.

The order is effective immediately and continues through July 24.

As of Thursday, Michigan had reported over 62,000 cases of the coronavirus. Once trending downward, the number of new cases has been on the rise in recent days, increasing the last five.